To notify the Chairman of any items that appear later in the agenda in which you may have an interest.

Members had no interests to declare.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th September 2008.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 30^th September 2008 were confirmed as a correct and signed by the Chairman.

A representative from the Police Force will be present at the meeting to give an update in relation to crime figures etc.

Members were disappointed that a representative from the Police had been unable to attend the meeting, especially as a number of residents from Eskdale Place were present to report the anti-social behaviour and criminal damage problems they were encountering in the area. 

The problems related to a gang of young people, aged between 14 and 22 years, who were throwing stones at windows in the early hours of the morning, threatening to damage motor vehicles, consuming alcohol in the street, driving motorcycles without helmets and general rowdy nuisance behaviour.

It was pointed out that all of the incidents had been reported to the Police and it was understood that both the Police and the Council’s Tenancy Enforcement Officers had operations in progress.

Members requested that a letter be sent to the Police requesting a meeting with residents to discuss the problems in Eskdale Place.

To consider the attached report.

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Chief Executive which gave an update on project activity in relation to Sedgefield Local Improvement Programme (LIP) (For copy see file of Minutes).

The Forum was reminded that Area 5 had been oversubscribed by £208,065 following the cut-off date of 31^st July 2008 and consequently project activity had been prioritised to ensure that funding was targeted at projects that would have clear community outcomes.

It was noted that Cabinet at its meeting on 23^rd October, 2008 had approved the application to support Agnew Community Centre.

With regard to the 3 non priority projects - St. Josephs Primary School, Aycliffe Village Hall and Newton Aycliffe Scouts Supporters Association it was noted that officers would work with the project sponsors to try and identify other sources of funding.

AGREED :           That the information on the current position of the Local Improvement Programme within Area 5 be received.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services regarding a request received from Lidl UK GmbH to officially name the new access road serving its warehouse and distribution facility that were situated on land to the south of Millennium Way,Aycliffe Business Park. (For copy see file of Minutes). 

AGREED :           That the Forum supports the name Riseburn Way for access road south of Millennium Way, Aycliffe Business Park .

Next meeting is scheduled to be held on 20^th January 2009

Tuesday 20^th January 2009 at 7.00 p.m. at Great Aycliffe Town Council Offices.

A representative from NHS County Durham (formerly County Durham PCT) will be present at the meeting to discuss issues with regard to health provision.

It was reported that the officer from NHS County Durham had been required to attend a meeting at Crook earlier that evening and therefore could not be present at Area 5 Forum from the start of proceedings. 

Members agreed to close the meeting as they had no more business to discuss that the representative from NHS County Durham be invited to attend a future meeting of the Forum.